The Grotesque and Art…

“Although I am not personally drawn to works in which distortion is purposely attempted, I believe that truly beautiful objects usually contain in them some element of irregularity. From that point of view, it might be maintained that the grotesque is an essential ingredient of true art. An age that will tolerate grotesque art is usually a great age – but this grotesqueness must be rooted in inevitability; if contrived or strained, it can result only in unwholesomeness. True grotesque art must be healthy; conversely, sentimental art can never be great art.”